Strategic Community Solutions provides clients with creative, practical products that help build successful and sustainable communities. Its focus is on projects that shape the future, engage the public and enhance sustainability. It has provided analysis, policy development, plan preparation, facilitation, community involvement and planning process design for communities in Arizona, Colorado, Louisiana, Missouri, Nevada, South Carolina and Texas.

Vision North Texas, a regional visioning effort sponsored by the ULI North Texas District Council, the University of Texas at Arlington and the North Central Texas Council of Governments, is now beginning its third phase, with an ambitious effort to create “North Texas 2050”. This project, to be completed in 2009, will create a vision and action package to guide the growth of the region (the 4th largest in the nation) through 2050. Ms. Walz continues to serve as the Project Manager, leading fund-raising, community involvement, research and other activities.

The American Planning Association adopted the Climate Change Policy Guide which was proposed in 2007 by the team of leaders that included Ms. Walz.

Presentations and Published Articles

“Growth and Development in North Texas: Looking at all the Options”
Presented May 8, 2008 at the Urban Land Institute National Spring Council Forum in Dallas

"North Texas Overview"
Published in Urban Land magazine, April 2008

”Vision North Texas and Beyond: Current Trends in Future Analysis”
Presented April 29, 2008 at the American Planning Association National Conference in Las Vegas

"Vision North Texas Looks to the Future"
Published in Urban Land magazine, April 2008

”Climate Change Policy: Planning and Election Year Influence”
Presented April 29, 2008 at the American Planning Association National Conference in Las Vegas

Awards

National AIA Honor Award: A Balanced Vision Plan for the Trinity River Corridor

In 2007, the American Planning Association decided to create a “Policy Guide” on climate change, which will serve as the policy direction for the organization as it communicates with federal and state legislatures, and for planners nationwide as they work with communities and clients. Ms. Walz was asked to serve on the Steering Committee for this effort and to Co-Chair the task force developing recommendations related to Land Use.

After developing the land use section of this policy draft, Ms. Walz was one of the small team of leaders who reviewed, revised and edited the overall document. This Policy Guide will be considered by the APA Delegate Assembly in April 2008.